When did Glenbard D87 begin its 10-year facility master planning process?

Our facility planning process started in June of 2023, when our district brought together staff, students, parents, and community members for the first of many meetings to discuss our current facilities and determine what might need to be addressed in the next 10 years. 

During this process, we identified and prioritized needs for Glenbard East:

• Safer & Secure Vestibule at Main Entrance Connected to Main Office
• Classroom and Lab Improvements
• Learning Commons Space to Support Diverse Student Learning Experiences
• Support Services Relocation to Improve Access to Resources near Active Student Zone
• Cafeteria Expansion and Upgrades to Gain Versatile, Multi-purpose Space and Relieve Congestion

Community engagement meetings continued throughout the fall of 2023. In an effort to get additional feedback on our facility planning, a survey was sent to community members, as well as Glenbard staff, students, and families in October of that year. At their November meetings, the Board of Education reviewed the results of the community engagement meetings and survey. On December 11th, 2023, the Board of Education authorized the administration to proceed with a referendum in March 2024 to assist in funding Glenbard District 87’s 10-Year Facility Master Plan. You can find links to recordings of these meetings here.
   

How are the facility improvements being funded?

The District went through a process of creating a new master facility plan in 2023. The original plan identified over $385 million of improvements for the District’s facilities covering more than 1.6 million square feet of space. This list was prioritized and eventually reduced to a need of $312 million over a ten-year span (2024-2034). District administration recommended the use of operating funds totaling $129 million over the ten-year plan. The remainder is being funded by a $183 million referendum, which was approved in the spring of 2024. Consistent with our communication plan prior to the referendum, each school is receiving a share of the $312 million allocation proportional to its student population. The amount budgeted for facility improvements at Glenbard East is over $90 million. This allocation may rise slightly over the ten-year period as we have budgeted conservatively on both the expense and revenue sides. We anticipate that the actual amount available to spend will be closer to $341 million based on the use of interest income from bond proceeds and the likelihood that actual bid results will come in below current estimates.
   

How was information about the referendum communicated?

In preparation for the referendum, District 87 shared information with the community through multiple channels. This included community newsletters, informational mailers to residents, and a dedicated section on our website featuring text and video summaries of school needs, along with video recordings of Board of Education presentations. In addition, referendum details were shared through District 44 and District 15 Board and PTA meetings, boosters, principals’ newsletters, the referendum forum at Glenbard East, and community forum update meetings.
   

How are/were contracts awarded for the work?

Wold architects were selected as Glenbard 87’s architect of record following a competitive process called a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) which was approved in March 2023. The RFQ process is distinguished from a competitive bid because we are not allowed to make our selection based on the cost of service, but rather the qualifications of the firms and the best fit for our District. This process is required for Illinois school districts per Illinois School Code.

Gilbane was selected as our Construction Manager in June 2024 following the same competitive RFQ process utilized with our architect selection. Gilbane is charged with overall project management, cost estimation and is responsible for packaging and developing a list of qualified subcontractors to bid on the specified scopes of work through the public bidding process. Subcontracts are awarded based on the lowest qualified bid. While Gilbane manages the bidding process and makes the recommendation for award following a public bid opening, the Board of Education has the final say and approves each individual bid package prior to the work being done. Glenbard East recently completed summer 2025 projects utilizing the process described above. 

Note that Gilbane is not responsible for bidding mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection work. These services are handled through Performance Services which conducts work under the Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract (GESC) provision. They handle the bids directly as the work being performed generates operational savings that in the long-term helps to pay for the improvements being made.
   

What was the purpose of renovating the Library Resource Center (LRC), and how does it benefit students?

The renovation of the library was part of the curtain wall project that has been planned for many years as part of Glenbard East’s 10-year Capital Improvement Plan. The curtain wall replacement not only replaces the outside wall of the building but it provides an opportunity to refresh painting, lighting, flooring, and the ceilings of each space inside as well. Therefore, since most of the library had a curtain wall replacement it provided an opportunity to modernize the library to be multi-dimensional to meet various student needs. For example, the different spaces of the library provide opportunities for students to study quietly on soft seating furniture or charge their iPad while they work on a high top table.  In addition, the new huddle rooms provide students the opportunity to work in groups without concern of disturbing others while an entire class uses the computer lab portion of the library.  
   

What improvement upgrades were completed during summer 2025?

During the summer of 2025, the east side of the building has its curtain wall replaced. As noted earlier this included the complete renovation of the library. In addition, 18 classrooms on the east side of the building received a refresh of painting, new lighting, flooring, and ceilings. New furniture consisting of students desks, chairs, and teachers desks were installed in 26 classrooms. Three science labs were completely renovated and modernized. A set of male and female bathrooms was renovated on the first floor of the west side of the building.  New turf and a new asphalt track were installed in the outside stadium.
   

Why are these facility improvements taking place? 

These facility improvements are taking place for a number of reasons. For example, the overall maintenance and upkeep of the building is necessary for its longevity as the building approaches 70 years old. In addition to the maintenance and upkeep, the building is being modernized to better meet the needs of students. As we have moved to a block schedule that provides students and staff blocks of time they never had in the past to collaborate, there is the need for spaces to accommodate them. Additionally, the building will be better able to host multiple events at the same time as the new and renovated spaces will be multidimensional.
   

What features will the improvements bring and how will it benefit student learning?

The relocation of the main office will be more accessible to stakeholders on the first floor as opposed to the second floor. In addition, a new visitor’s entrance will be separate from the student entrance which will provide a more secure entry way for students. A new learning commons will provide students an entire new space where events/presentations will take place while also providing students another area to study, eat, or have some down time other than the library and cafeteria. The new cafeteria will provide students a multidimensional space for students to study, collaborate, or socialize as its size will be increased.  In addition, the cafeteria will be utilized for larger presentations/meetings.
   

What additional work will be done to the existing building?

The existing building will receive: upgrades to the classroom spaces and labs, provide improved accessibility, improve safety features with the doors and locks, as well as improve flooring, lighting, and new flexible seating.  Additionally, floors will be replaced in our two athletic gyms and new bleachers will be installed in the primary competition gym.
   

When will construction begin, and when is it expected to be completed?

Construction of the building additions began in the fall of 2025 (October) and is expected to be completed by August 2027 (in time for the start of the 2027-28 school year). Following the completion of this phase, renovations would take place in the existing building’s classrooms and common spaces.
   

How will the traffic pattern around the school change at the conclusion of the construction project?

Starting with the 2027-28 school year, all school buses will drop off and pick up in the north lot off of Wilson Ave. That is the school’s current practice. The major change will be that all parent drop offs and pick ups will take place along the top of the hill drive on the east side of the building off of Main Street. Specific details of drop off and pick up locations during the construction phase will be communicated at a later time.